inspiration

‘Rebuilding’ celebrates the virtues of compassion

When the slate gets involuntarily wiped clean, we generally have two choices available to us: (1) walking away and starting anew or (2) attempting to rebuild. Both options usually represent hard choices, not only because of the effort required, but also due to the emotional anguish we’re likely to face. Of those two choices, the restoration option can be particularly trying, given that, as we go through it, we’re constantly reminded of what we lost. However, there are also things to be gained, especially when it comes to the compassion, assistance and support we’re likely to receive from those who want to help.

Brent Marchant2026-01-12T18:09:07-05:00January 12th, 2026|Character Study, Conscious Creation, Drama, Featured Post, Movie Reviews|

Assessing the Good Lie on The Cinema Scribe

Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday December 9.

Brent Marchant2026-01-12T22:50:49-05:00December 9th, 2025|Announcements, Character Study, Comedy, Drama, Media Appearances, Movie Reviews|

‘Eleanor the Great’ wrestles with the merits of ‘the good lie’

We’ve all been taught the wisdom behind the notion of “honesty is the best policy.” It’s sound, solid guidance that’s nearly always appropriate (provided it’s not carried to an unhealthy extreme). But what about the opposite of this advice: Is there ever any benefit in a falsehood, the so-called “good lie?” At first glance, it might be easy to dismiss this idea out of hand, but what if something less than truthful is capable of imparting insight, inspiration or comfort to someone in distress? In cases like that, can it realistically be summarily rejected?

Brent Marchant2025-12-08T11:08:50-05:00December 8th, 2025|Character Study, Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Featured Post, Movie Reviews|

‘Eternity’ wrestles with the perils of hard choices

Life can sometimes present us with hard choices. However, strange as it might sound, death might actually hand us some even bigger ones. That might throw us for a huge, unexpected loop, especially if we go into the afterlife envisioning it as a stress-free experience, one assumed to be characterized by unending happiness and bliss. Such is the dilemma posed to a recently deceased woman who now faces a decision that’s not at all what she anticipated, a choice far greater and more difficult than anything she experienced while alive.

Brent Marchant2025-11-24T10:59:10-05:00November 24th, 2025|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Featured Post, Movie Reviews, Romance|

‘Beautiful Journey’ brings the nature of existence to life

It’s been said that “life is what you make of it,” that “we become what we believe.” To some, this probably seems like the content of a warm, fuzzy, inspirational greeting card. But, if we truly take the time to examine ourselves and our lives, we’re likely to find that there’s more than a small kernel of truth in these observations.

Brent Marchant2025-12-22T01:38:40-05:00October 13th, 2025|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews, Romance, Sci-Fi|

Three documentaries about remarkable women

At a time when women have come under increasing infringement on their rights and their ability to be themselves, it’s encouraging to see filmmakers rising to the occasion to counter those misguided initiatives, to make it clear that they have much to offer and should not be prevented from doing so. Those contributions take various forms, and they’re now being showcased in three excellent new documentaries, all available for streaming online.

Brent Marchant2025-07-28T06:48:15-05:00May 29th, 2025|Documentary, Movie Reviews|

‘The Penguin Lessons’ points the way to inspirational wisdom

Most of us would probably agree that learning lessons is an important part of our life experience. However, at the same time, most of us would also likely concur that we seldom know what those lessons will be, what their messages are or how they will arise in our lives. What’s more, and perhaps even more perplexing, we often don’t know who the teachers of those lessons will be. Could they be the circumstances that appear? The people who cross our paths? Or maybe something else entirely unexpected?

Brent Marchant2025-07-15T19:23:56-05:00May 23rd, 2025|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘The Wild Robot’ explores exceeding our capabilities

There are times in our lives when nearly all of us exceed the limits of our capabilities (and often quite unexpectedly at that). But that can be a tremendous blessing, especially when we’re confronted by circumstances where such enhanced aptitudes are called for. When this happens, we might well surprise ourselves and those who know us, but such amazing revelations can produce miraculous results that benefit many in need.

Brent Marchant2025-01-29T09:55:22-05:00November 25th, 2024|Animation, Conscious Creation, Movie Reviews|

‘Sing Sing’ explores personal resurgence through the arts

When everything gets taken away from one’s life, it must be nearly impossible to find something that provides a meaningful reason to carry on. The pervasive sense of hopelessness that sets in makes it difficult to establish a purpose in one’s existence. And so it often is for the incarcerated, individuals faced with an uncertain future of indeterminate duration. Under conditions as difficult as these, realistically speaking, one can’t help but wonder whether even the prospect of rehabilitation will actually pan out as a viable option.

Brent Marchant2024-10-20T01:13:53-05:00August 22nd, 2024|Biography, Character Study, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Golden Years’ shows how to put the luster in retirement

Retirement is supposed to be one of those times of life that we eagerly look forward to. Having the free time to do what we want, when we want, is thought to be liberating and thoroughly enjoyable. But, for some, the transition from full-time working life to full-time leisurely living can be challenging, especially in the relationships of long-partnered couples.

Brent Marchant2024-08-30T12:57:27-05:00July 7th, 2024|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Foreign, Movie Reviews, Romance|